Transit Visa
Apply for a Canadian transit visa for airport connections. Learn about TWOV program, visa-exempt countries, and transit requirements.
What is a Transit Visa?
A Transit Visa allows foreign nationals to pass through Canada on their way to another country. If you're connecting through a Canadian airport and need to leave the secure transit area, you'll need either a transit visa or be from a visa-exempt country. Canada offers the Transit Without Visa (TWOV) program for eligible travelers making brief connections.
Types of Transit
- Airside Transit: Remaining in the secure transit area without clearing customs
- Landside Transit: Exiting the secure area to collect baggage or change terminals
- TWOV Program: Allows citizens of specific countries to transit without a visa if connecting within 48 hours
Visa-Exempt Countries for Transit
Citizens of visa-exempt countries (such as US, UK, most EU countries, Australia, Japan) can transit through Canada without a transit visa but must have an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for air travel. Citizens of visa-required countries need a transit visa unless eligible for the TWOV program.
TWOV Program Eligibility
The Transit Without Visa program allows eligible travelers to transit through Canada without a visa if they meet all requirements: holding a valid passport from an eligible country, having a confirmed ticket to a third country departing within 48 hours, arriving by air and continuing by air, and transiting through specific designated airports (Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto-Pearson, Montreal-Trudeau).
Required Documentation
- Valid passport (must be valid for duration of transit)
- Visa for your final destination (if required)
- Confirmed onward ticket within 48 hours
- Transit visa or eTA (depending on nationality)
- Proof of ties to home country
Application Process
Apply online through the IRCC website or at a Canadian visa application center. Processing typically takes 2-3 weeks. Ensure all documentation is ready before applying, including your travel itinerary showing the transit connection. Transit visas are typically issued for single or double entry and are valid for the duration of your layover.
Important Restrictions
Transit visas do not permit you to leave the airport or stay in Canada longer than 48 hours. If you need to collect baggage and recheck it, ensure your layover time allows for this. Some nationalities are not eligible for TWOV and must obtain a regular transit visa regardless of connection time.
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